Best Time To Visit the Falkland Islands
Most visitors to the Falkland Islands time their trips to coincide with the Antarctic season, but the islands offer great wildlife experiences throughout the austral summer.
Discover MoreSpecial Offers Available: Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost: no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships
The Antarctic Experts. No Compromises: there’s no question we can’t answer
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist: so your adventures can be a force for good
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct: we leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip
The tiny Falkland Islands punch well above their size when it comes to what they offer to visitors. Their rugged landscapes hold plenty of treats for wildlife lovers and are rich in birdlife and marine mammals as well as history – elements that make them the perfect place to add to an Antarctic and South Georgia adventure.
The following trips include time exploring the Falkland Islands as part of a longer voyage including South Georgia & Antarctica
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
4.6 out of 5
Looking for an Antarctic adventure without compromising on comfort and service? This stylish 139-passenger ship, with its cavernous suites, fine dining and compelling itinerary, offers a polished Southern Ocean adventure at a fair…
4.5 out of 5
With a good choice of departure dates through the season across three medium-sized ships, this 19-22 day trip stands out for its value for money and the broad range of cabin categories available, including Quads, which are…
4.5 out of 5
This voyage stands out by visiting the Antarctic Peninsula first and keeping the wonders of South Georgia for the second half. You’ll travel on board one of the most exciting new polar ships with spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology and optional…
Voyage south in Shackleton’s footsteps, exploring the Southern Ocean's highlights as part of this expansive 20-day adventure. A well-balanced itinerary gives plenty of time in each jaw-dropping location. Explore from the comfort of your sleek purpose-built expedition ship, accompanied by…
An epic 23-day voyage which packs in an astonishing 7 days in Antarctica, 4 days in wildlife-rich South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south. It's very rare to find a trip combining all three places. Limited departure…
4.5 out of 5
Purpose-built to tackle polar waters, an eco-minded vessel makes the ocean crossing between Antarctica and the wildlife Eden of South Georgia as comfortable as possible. Traverse the breathtaking Antarctic Sound where huge tabular icebergs dwarf the ship and immerse yourself…
A rockhopper penguin surrounded by black-browed albatross at West Point
If Falklands Islands vacations were easier to get to we have no doubt they would receive significantly more visitors each year. For birders in particular the islands are a fantastic destination: there are 227 recorded species here, with 59 regular breeders and two endemics to cross off the life list, including the Falkland steamer duck.
The change to see up to four of the world’s penguin species is also a major drawcard. Gentoo, magellanic, rockhopper, and king penguins are all found here. The chance to see groups of resplendent kings marching along empty white beaches is unique to the Falkland Islands and makes for truly great photo opportunities. Whales and dolphins are a common sight offshore and there's always the chance of seeing lazing sealions or giant elephant seals hauled up on the beaches.
What makes the Falklands wildlife so special is how accessible it is. Many species have no fear of people and it’s far from uncommon for the patient observer to be approached by a curious penguin or inquisitive caracara, making for some unforgettable wildlife encounters during Falkland Islands cruises.
The wreck of the Lady Elizabeth near Stanley
The Falkland Islands have a long and frequently contested history. The unoccupied islands were first claimed by the British in the mid-18th century, but France and Spain both looked to exert their claims to the islands at different times. To this day the islanders remain fiercely loyal to the British crown, but Argentina has consistently maintained a claim to sovereignty to the islands that they continue to this day. In Spanish the islands are known as Las Malvinas.
In the middle of the 19th century Stanley was briefly one of the world’s ports as a stopping point on the trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific around Cape Horn. At different times the islands made their living from whaling and sheep farming in relative obscurity until the 1982 war thrust them into the world spotlight.
While peace has long returned to these sleepy islands, vestiges of that time are still visible and many islanders still have their stories from the war – while having their faces set firmly to the future.
The Falkland Islands are home to many black-browed albatross colonies
Which exact locations you visit in your cruise to the Falkland Islands depends on the weather, season and ship itinerary, making it impossible to guarantee where you’ll land. The only exception to this is Stanley: except under unusual circumstances ships will call in here for essential immigration checks.
From the extraordinary black-browed albatross colonies at West Point and New Island, there are some amazing places to see seabirds. For penguins, Carcass Island is famous for its magellanic colony, while there is the chance of seeing four species in one landing at Saunders Island. Bleaker Island is noted for its rockhoppers and sealions.
Taking a break from the wildlife, Stanley is a fascinating place to explore with its history, beautiful cathedral and traditional British pubs, as well as offering the chance to see shipwreck and visit nearby Gypsy Cove with its magellanic penguins.
Looking to dive more deeply into the Falkland Islands?
Swoop Antarctica Expert Paul
It's possible to experience all four seasons in a day on the Falkland Islands
The visiting season for the Falkland Islands corresponds with the austral summer, runs through the austral summer months from the end of October to late March. The islands have a cold maritime climate, although it is far milder when compared to Antarctic temperatures.
Visiting at this time you can expect to see flowers in bloom such as the bright yellows of the island’s iconic gorse. This is also the time when animals breed, so depending on when you visit you have the chance to see penguins chicks, albatrosses on the nest or baby sealions.
Daytime temperatures during the summer season are typically around 50–55ºF (10-13ºC). Within this there can be tremendous variation, from light snow flurries to sunny days when a t-shirt is all you need. The only truly constant factor is the weather’s unpredictability.
With gentoo penguins on a Falkland Islands beach
The Falkland Islands are typically visited as part of a longer cruise visiting South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. These are once-in-a-lifetime trips so finding the right voyage is crucial, so you'll want to carefully consider both the itinerary and the type of ship as well as your travel dates.
The Falkland Islands trips scored 4.5/5 from 251 reviews
10/10 - We are so happy that we included South Georgia and the Falklands. The landscape between Antarctica and South Georgia is so different, that I can only highly recommend to anyone considering this once-in-a-lifetime trip to not just focus on the Antarctic Peninsula and to include South Georgia and the Falklands. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Dirk Liepold - USA
So hard to pick our most memorable moment between that first thrill of wildlife at West Point with the albatross and rockhopper colony, the full day sitting amongst and soaking in all the wildlife at sunny Saunders Bay, or the Adelie penguin overload at Paulet island. Or maybe the excitement at seeing an orca pop up out of nowhere on New Year's Eve. It really is a trip of endless memorable moments that would each be the highlight of any other holiday. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Angus Townsend - UK
We would particularly recommend adding in the Falklands and South Georgia. The Falklands was such a lovely surprise and on top of Stanley and the history there the wildlife was amazing and as good as anything else we saw the whole trip. South Georgia lived up to its reputation for the greatest wildlife, plus its dramatic landscape and history. If you can then it is definitely the best itinerary to follow. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Angus Townsend - UK
One of my aims was to walk with king penguins and to see them in huge crowds. I did this. And to see king penguins on the same ground as sheep was just extraordinary. That moment in the Falklands is indeed memorable. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2022
Sue Gatenby - UK
The buildup was perfect - first visiting the Falklands, Carcass and Saunders Islands, and then on to South Georgia made for great wildlife interaction. We certainly had enough time during the excursions to take great pictures. Weather is always an issue but on our trip we were fortunate to have reasonable good weather and could go on shore on most of our excursions. Read the full review
Travelled: November 2019
Leon Steyl - South Africa
We loved every minute of it, just wish we could have spent a bit more time in Stanley, it looks so delightfully colonial like belonging to another age.
Travelled: January 2018
Lucien & Marie-Eve - South Africa
Review:
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
This fantastic trip covers all the must-see highlights of an extended Antarctic expedition. With 21 nights aboard, venture far south past vast icebergs to cross the Antarctic Circle before taking in the wildlife paradise of South Georgia's jaw-dropping king penguin…
Voyage south in Shackleton’s footsteps, exploring the Southern Ocean's highlights as part of this expansive 20-day adventure. A well-balanced itinerary gives plenty of time in each jaw-dropping location. Explore from the comfort of your sleek purpose-built expedition ship, accompanied by…
4.2 out of 5
On a long voyage with so many days at sea, the journey is made more enjoyable aboard this comfortable, well appointed 4* ship with its capacious cabins and dedicated staff. Choice of 17-23 day departures per season, with optional kayaking…
An epic 23-day voyage which packs in an astonishing 7 days in Antarctica, 4 days in wildlife-rich South Georgia and the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south. It's very rare to find a trip combining all three places. Limited departure…
4.5 out of 5
With a good choice of departure dates through the season across three medium-sized ships, this 19-22 day trip stands out for its value for money and the broad range of cabin categories available, including Quads, which are…
Setting sail early in the season, be aboard one of the first ships to head south as the Southern Ocean reopens for business. It's a special time in South Georgia as the beaches are packed with breeding elephant seals, while…
4.9 out of 5
Join this classic Southern Ocean voyage, with a choice of two 21-day departures in the season. Travel aboard a generously proportioned 134-passenger expeditionary ship, undertake daily landings, with camping and kayaking for the…
4.5 out of 5
Purpose-built to tackle polar waters, an eco-minded vessel makes the ocean crossing between Antarctica and the wildlife Eden of South Georgia as comfortable as possible. Traverse the breathtaking Antarctic Sound where huge tabular icebergs dwarf the ship and immerse yourself…
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Travelling aboard a modern, custom-built expedition ship with luxury amenities, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the adventure as you speed through the Southern Ocean. The all-inclusive price – with outstanding food – is excellent value…
3.5 out of 5
Focusing only on Antarctica and South Georgia, missing out the Falklands, this voyage is both rare and attractive. Sail first to Antarctica and then on to South Georgia at a time when the king penguins are in their greatest numbers.…
4.8 out of 5
For a truly 5 star Southern Ocean experience, this is the voyage to consider. Cosseted aboard the most luxurious, all-inclusive expedition ships currently in Antarctica, enjoy outstanding cuisine, impeccable service and daily guided…
The visitor season on the Falkland Islands typically runs through from October to April. The more favourable months are November to February when the weather is clearer and average temperatures are around 8 degrees centigrade/ 46 fahrenheit, although the weather is still very changeable.
Most people visit the Falkland Islands on an expedition cruise ship in conjunction with a visit to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. The islands take around a day and a half to reach from Ushuaia in Argentina, the main departure port for cruise ships. It is also possible to fly from Chile.
There is a weekly flight to from Punta Arenas in Chile to Mount Pleasant near Stanley. The flight departs every Saturday. It is also possible (if more complicated to arrange) to fly direct to the Falkland Islands from the UK on a service operating from RAF Brize Norton.
In general, cruise ship visitors don’t require a visa for Falkland Islands or to participate in shore excursions. However, visitors arriving by air, or intending to spend time in the Falkland Islands before or after a cruise, may need a visa. If you hold a passport for the USA, Canada, EU countries, Australia or New Zealand and most Asian and South America countries then no visa is required.
Most visitors to the Falkland Islands time their trips to coincide with the Antarctic season, but the islands offer great wildlife experiences throughout the austral summer.
Discover MoreMost people arrive in the Falkland Islands by expedition cruise ships but there are a small number of flight options for those looking for a fly-sail cruise.
Discover MoreThe Falkland Islands are a great wildlife watching location and are home to both sub-Antarctic species and those from mainland South America.
Discover MoreThe human history of the Falklands Islands barely stretches back more than a handful of centuries, but these tiny islands have packed a lot into that time.
Discover MoreFor sheer density of wildlife, majestic scenery and riveting history, South Georgia is a truly world-beating destination. Known as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, it’s one of the least visited places on earth – and offers great rewards for those who make their way to its shores.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
With over 100 years of Antarctic experience between us, we can help guide you to exactly the right trip for you.
1-888-970-4570We don’t charge a commission and there are no hidden fees. Just impartial, expert advice from the leading Polar cruise agent. Schedule a call with our Antarctic Experts today.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Privacy policy